There’s always a flurry of excitement surrounding the holidays. It’s a time when long-overdue reunions finally come around, and hopes and well-wishes become a little more commonplace.

The season becomes doubly bright and busy as everything tries to get squeezed in before the year comes to a close. It also becomes a time for much transit: from the everyday destinations of home to work to mall, to greater distances like traveling abroad or coming home to the family after a long year of toil.

With all its forms and destinations, being in transit often equates to tedium and tiredness. But that shouldn’t be the case.

In this issue, we look at being in transit and transition as

something with a bit of wistful positivity: as wandering. Through these pages, we learn about designer Gian Romano’s travels and which destinations have inspired his best works. Meanwhile, we provide a guide for your appetite to wander through among SM Aura’s best and newest shops and restaurants. Discover creativity in the form of new menus, and feel the gift of homecoming with time-tested recipes.

Also inside, we pick out looks to carry you through the hustle and bustle of the holiday rush. And we check out how to

best use the newest items in our shopping list. And before the store-hopping and gift list-checking commences, check out our own gift-to-recipient matches.

GingersnapsPeriwinklePowermacToby’s EstateCrate & BarrelErgoXO46 Heritage BistroPaper MoonSMXPing Pong DiplomacyGrindTomsPower Mac Center

4TH LEVELNew BalanceSports CentralToby’sTechnokidDatablitzDigital WalkerCamerahausSmartCanonBoseGlobeMizunoEmpire GolfPalladiumScribeQuirksRip CurlThule AstroplusHoney CremeGongchaIncaseSpeedoOakleyAll Flip FlopsQuicksilver DC ShoesSalomonColumbiaMoveThe North FaceOtterboxLa Lola ChurreriaMotostyleSM CinemaThe KaseIMAXSnacktimeDirector’s Club

DIRECTORYBASEMENT 1Mr. QuickieTravel ProsDHLPixel PointFax & ParcelPeppermint SalonAlterations PlusKlinik WatchAu Beau BlancLovin’ My BagsGreat ImageKidzvilleQuantumMaxwax

LOWER GROUNDSM SupermarketChatimeAce HardwareBruno’s BarbersBanana Leaf SignatureKitchen ProWine DepotLava Cheese TartsHealthy OptionsSlappy CakesSeen/EOIdeal VisionBreadtalkToastboxBDOSM StoreGNCToni & GuySM Appliance CenterJamba JuiceNational Book StoreMcDonald’sCafé Mary GraceKFCJollibeeChinabankWatsonsNadai FujisobaFrench TipsBono Gelato

UPPER GROUNDStarbucksPromodStradivariusCommonwealthRonnie & Joe

Joe’s JeansElementoBershkaPaul BoulangerieJ. LindebergRolexPylonesHoodwinkStuart WeitzmanBric’sAmerican EagleAldoVero ModaCliniqueMacTopman / TopshopKiehl’sMarks & SpencerUniqloForever 21JosephDodoCK PlatinumAssemblyBobbi BrownEstee LauderJo Malone LondonSM StoreProvidoreCibo

2ND LEVELNauticaYves RocherTM LewinEver NewEtamAerosolesPerry EllisSanrioPedroCall It SpringLaneigeYosi SamraTW SteelKipling Levi’sSamsungIkkoryu Fukuoka

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3RD LEVELToy KingdomKulturaPenshoppeOxygenFor MeMemoRegattaPlains & PrintsLiving WellL’IndochineBasement SalonArts ElementsEye SocietyFolded & HungDr. KongMosaicDetailsTrafficCMGNew EraHerschelKashiecaBenchBlack HumanPetit BateauPeppermintBaby Company

For inquiries, call us at 815-AURA (815-2872) | Visit www.sm-aura.com | Follow us on @smaurapremier

THE SEASON’S SIGHTS

contents

Satchel, Rabeanco

3TRAVEL

The influence of travel on design

4GIFTING

Gift ideas by character

6NEW TASTES

Crowd favorites and new players fill up the holiday table

7HANDPICKED

Diverse design ideas come together

8FOOD

Aura’s newest culinary offerings

10FASHION

The season’s best sartorial picks

14SHOPPING

Gear up for a busy year-end

note

Travalo

FOOD ON FOUREat PinoySizzling PlatePepper LunchYakitori OneSbarroFour Seasons CinnabonCrazy CrepesSliceMerry MooTeppanyaki BrothersCraft SaladSushi NoriFrankie’s New York

Buffalo WingsThe Great American

Burger JointPure NectarRico RicoPoke Poke

5TH LEVELNBA CaféTuan TuanLugangMesaOgetsu HimeThe Coffee Bean & Tea

LeafBaskin RobbinsMona LisaTamarindYabuTodd EnglishFitness FirstRamen NagiBarcinoKettleButa+WagyuCocaHobing CafeJin Joo

6TH LEVELNIU by VikingsPlayworksBallet Philippines

Luang Prabang in Laos, for example, have inspired some of Romano’s latest work. “The contrast of textures in the pieces that I make were drawn from these three distinct places. [It’s] treating something familiar but seeing and mixing it with a different context.”

THE PLACES YOU’LL GO

CARRY ON

“Sorry, I lost track of time thinking we were in the same time zone,” fashion designer Gian Romano writes in an e-mail. He is in New York as of this writing, and more and more it appears that he rarely stays in a place for long.

One could say traveling, for Romano, has become something sort of second nature. From yearly trips to Manila in the summer as a child, Iligan-raised Romano has gone—and continues to go—even farther, traveling almost every month.

Aside from his usual haunts abroad—“Bangkok in January and Hong Kong in July as my marketing and sourcing trips [and] the US every November through December for vacation,” he reveals—Romano has also dedicated himself to seeing more of the Philippines every few months in between.

It seems like he’s living the life, but it all comes as a result of hard work. The fashion designer has been active in the industry for 16 years now, and he shows no signs of stopping or slowing down—not when there’s still so much to see and so much to create. “I bust my ass whenever I’m in Manila to be able to travel,” Romano says. “Some people invest in art but I invest in memories through my trips.”

It is the memory of his trips that he uses as inspiration every time he comes back to Manila to work. The creole culture in New Orleans, the co-existence of modernity and tradition in Japan, and the textures of the town of

Gian Romano on the influence of travel in design

His essentials for every destination

Leather

motorcycle jacket,

Topman

travel

Moscot Sunglasses,

Ronnie & Joe

M Train by Patti Smith,

National Book Store

Black T-shirt,

Uniqlo

Soaking up the art scene at the New Orleans French Quarter

PAGE 3HOLIDAY ISSUE

Gift-giving made easy with these simple formulas

IN SUMgifting

THE FINER THINGSFor the woman who knows what she deserves and is

unafraid to indulge, offer treats she can add to her care collection: scented candles to lift the mood and the

latest hues for her eyes and lips.

MAN OF THE HOUSECater to his knack for mixing with a cocktail shaker,

or help him expand his stock of tableware with the vast selection from Crate & Barrel. Complete the mix with a bottle of wine to make those gatherings extra festive.

Nectarine Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick, Estee LauderUpper Ground Level

Orange Bitters scented candle, Jo MaloneUpper Ground Level

Chateau D’Hanteillan Haut Medoc CRU Bourgeois, Wine DepotLower Ground Level

Dining set, stainless cocktail shaker set,

Crate & Barrel3RD Level

Yum Yum Yum Nutcracker Dust Powder,

MACUpper Ground Level

PAGE 4 HOLIDAY ISSUE

THE GO-GETTERProfessional doesn’t have to mean bland and boring,

especially not for the young woman on the go. A small, structured bag for all her essentials is perfect when

she’s off to a quick meeting, and with the latest laptop, she’s a walking corporate suite.

LAID-BACK LADSend him off on greater adventures. Pack up the

essentials in a classic Herschel bag and keep those trendy caps in good form with a cap carrier. Throw in a wireless, all-natural speaker to underscore the

experience with his favorite jams.

PERFECT FITFuelbelt’s Helium Polycarbonate Water Bottle’s simple design makes it a perfect companion whether for the

gym or work. Lightweight sportswear will also go a long way, and will easily become a most useful gift for the

sporty friend.

FLASH FLOWStaying connected and up-to-date with the latest trends and events is a top priority for the modern

woman. Equipped with the latest gadgets, she can do just that: the splash- and water-resistant

iPhone 7 features an improved battery and camera performance. Capturing her everyday stories will also

be made easier with a handy camera.

Macbook Pro,Power Mac Center3RD Level

FuelBelt Helium Polycarbonate

Water Bottle, Toby’s

4th Level

Nike Beautiful x Powerful,

CommonwealthUpper Ground Level

Packable duffle bag,

Herschel3rd Level

iPhone 7,Power Mac Center

3RDLevel

Canon EOS M10 camera,

Canon4TH Level

Bose QC335 Headphones,

Bose4TH Level

Loudbasstard speaker, Kultura

3RD Level

Cap carrier, New Era3RD Level

Settlement backpack, Herschel3RD Level

Bag, Charles and Keith

2ND Level

PAGE 5HOLIDAY ISSUE

New discoveries to add to the holiday table

UNDER THE RADARnew tastes

1 2

3

4 5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Matsusaka Sukiyaki by Ogetsu Hime

5th Level, Skypark

Beef, vegetables, and mushrooms come

together in a warm broth, with a raw egg served on

the side.

1

Malay Laksa Noodle Soup by Tuan Tuan5th Level, Skypark

Hitting spicy notes with a milky texture, the noodle soup can best be enjoyed

with toppings of beef brisket or fish tofu.

2

Tinapa Roll by Mesa5th Level, Skypark

The Filipino tinapa gets a twist in Mesa’s

delicacies that come in lettuce-wrapped rolls you

can dip in vinegar for a salty mid-noon snack.

3

Spaghettini alla Pescatora by Cibo

Upper Ground Level

Clams, mussels, and scallops all swimming

about in the tasty threads of authentic Italian pasta in

stewed tomato sauce.

4

Goong Ob Woon Sen by Tamarind

5th Level, Skypark

Originally a Thai-Chinese dish, this seafood-and-noodle mix delivers a savory burst of Asian flavors with spices.

5

Red King by Ramen Nagi5th Level, Skypark

For the daring few, this dish comes with a mix of chili oil, garlic, and

cayenne pepper, giving each slurp a spicy kick.

6

Gyoza by Ramen Nagi5th Level, Skypark

Arguably the most popular Japanese side

dish, this classic dumpling has meat and vegetable

filling wrapped in a dough.

8

Crispy BBQ Pork Snow Buns by Tuan Tuan

5th Level, Skypark

Chunks of pork asado in milky buns have become

one of the country’s newest favorites in the realm of

comfort food.

9

Porchetta by CiboUpper Ground Level

The boneless Porchetta, a traditional Italian dish,

features slabs of pork that are stuffed with herbs and rolled to sate any

diner’s craving.

10

Prawns with Salted Egg by Coca

5th Level, Skypark

Adding to the country’s new craze, Coca’s prawns

coated with breading and salted egg inspire a

following on its own.

11

Emperor’s Platter with Ojiya by Coca

5th Level, Skypark

Coca’s star dish packs glass noodles, meat,

seafood, and vegetables in spicy tom yum and

chicken broth.

12

7Spaghetti Vongole

by Mona Lisa5th Level, Skypark

Rendering a taste of the sea, this pasta is sauteed with

garlic and comes with baby clams and a light tomato-

white wine sauce.

PAGE 6 HOLIDAY ISSUE

Assembly’s storied items combine to tell of a unique lifestyle

NEW FINDShandpicked

we talk about wearing hearts on sleeves, but how about wearing entire stories?

Ask anybody and you’ll probably get variations of the same answer: sure, after all, fashion is an expression, it’s making a statement. For the Suyen Group’s newest multi-brand retail concept though, fashion is more than just a single statement, it’s a narrative.

Assembly holds that each piece, from eyewear to shoes, is an element in a style story, with a particular tale of its own. Handpicked by Suyen chairman Ben Chan himself, the brands are known for their distinctive design ideas and craftsmanship. As a result, the medley of pieces, in all its simplicities and complexities, creates looks with depth.

As the name suggests, Assembly brings together a diverse mix of brands, from mainstream to niche labels—all big names in the many style circles across the globe. The items in store are meant to appeal to a wide range of sensibilities and trends, from contemporary to street, luxurious to quirky.

Guided by the belief that mood defines style, Assembly seeks to cover as many bases as possible. Femininity can be channeled in a lace Alberta Ferretti

CACHET OF

COOLAssembly’s collection of

curiosities combines cool and eclectic See Concept

Mostly Heard Rarely Seen Toiletpaper

Handpicked by Suyen chairman Ben Chan himself, [Assembly’s] brands

are known for their distinctive design ideas and craftsmanship. As

a result, the medley of pieces, in all its simplicities and complexities,

creates looks with depth.

Alberta Ferreti

dress, while bold edginess can be evoked in Karen Millen’s form-fitting pieces. Paul Smith’s selection of coats add to a more polished look, while Opening Ceremony and Hong Kong brand Mostly Heard Rarely Seen take on a more youthful, relaxed vibe.

Unlike other boutiques that bank on a unifying theme for its offerings, Assembly embraces its brand diversity. Its curation lies in the lifestyle narratives that need to be told, and how each brand contributes to this mix.

PAGE 7HOLIDAY ISSUE

FARE TRADEfood

Loaded Nachos by The Great American Burger Joint

Nachos topped with American cheese, sour cream, cilantro, chili con carne,

and watermelon salsa offer a refreshing alternative to the classic.

Chorizo and Shrimp Flatbread by Todd English

Level up your pizza game with Todd English’s Chorizo and Shrimp Flatbread Pizza,

topped with Manchego cheese and piquillo sauce.

KIDD DEE AND ERIC DEETodd English

URI SINGLALa Lola Churreria

Porchetta by CiboA savory, fatty cut of boneless

pork roast and stuffed with herbs, porchetta is one of Italy’s most popular

traditional dishes.

Spaghettini alla Pescatora by Cibo

Try a more authentic, Italian approach to spaghetti with Cibo’s Spaghettini

alla Pescatora—spaghetti with sauteed seafood and stewed tomatoes.

Juicy Lucy by The Great American Burger Joint

Here’s a sure winner: your classic burger—patty, lettuce, and all—loaded with bacon and pickles, and stuffed and

slathered with cheese.

Risotto Tater Tots with Truffle

Aioli Dip by Todd English

American meets Italian with these bite-sized

risotto tots

Torched Nigiri Stairs by

Todd EnglishWork your way down from

this sushi staircase of seared foie gras, unagi, salmon belly, scallops,

baby lobster tail, and tuna.

PAGE 8 HOLIDAY ISSUE

SM Aura’s restaurateurs come together to sample the newest offerings

STEVEN CARLGrind Bistro + Cafe

SERGIE ROSTOLLLa Lola Churreria

CRISTINA CARLGrind Bistro + Cafe

Insalata Pacifica by CiboGo all natural with a serving of fresh tomatoes and parmesan

on a bed of greens, drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette.

Malted Chocolate Earthquake by Grind Bistro + Cafe

A drink and dessert in one, the Malt Chocolate Earthquake has a milkshake base, topped with a chocolate brownie,

marshmallow, and whipped cream.

Southwest BBQ by The Great American

Burger JointTake a bite of this burger’s layers of Angus patty, bacon, onion, and jack cheese doused in barbeque sauce.

The “You’re Gonna Need Extra Rice” BBQ Plate

by ProvidoreTwo skewers of pork and chicken

barbeque are served with a siding of extra barbeque sauce and atchara to create a mix of tangy, smoky,

and sweet.

Homecured Bacon by Todd English

Sweet and salty converge in a single slice of soft,

cured meat. Todd English’s signature bacon is served

on a bed of smeared squash puree and tomato jam.

Rainbow Cake by Grind Bistro + Cafe

Grind Bistro + Cafe’s Rainbow Cake both for the eyes and the palate as it satisfies a dessert craving without being overwhelmingly sweet.

Crispy Seafood Mayo Roll by

ProvidoreWith freshly baked brioche rolls stuffed with a creamy

mayo-seafood mix, the Crispy Seafood Roll makes for a light but filling meal.

Macaroni Pimiento 4 Cheese Gratin

by ProvidoreThe classic Mac and Cheese

gets reworked with an additional layer of crumbs and cheese with Providore’s Macaroni Pimiento 4

Cheese Gratin.

PAGE 9HOLIDAY ISSUE

ON THE SCENEfashion

On EdgeShirt, 21Men by

Forever 21. Jacket, Joe’s. Pants, Uniqlo. Tie, Topman. Shoes,

Converse. Watch, SM Accessories.

Suit up as the season ushers in days bustling with activity

PAGE 10 HOLIDAY ISSUE

On The AgendaShirt, suit, pants,

CK Platinum. Shoes, Rockport. Sunglasses,

Rayban (available at Eye Society). Bag, Piquadro.

Out On The TownTop, coat, skirt,

Joseph. Accessories, SM Accessories.

Heels, Forever 21.

PAGE 11HOLIDAY ISSUE

Date NightOn her: Top, Uniqlo. Bottom, Uniqlo.

Heels, Forever 21. Accessories, SM Store. Bag, Charles and Keith.

On him: Shirt, TM Lewin. Suit, pants, Topman. Shoes, Sledgers.

Off DutyShirt, Topman. Pants, Forever 21. Watch, SM Accessories. Eyeglasses, Garett Leight

California Optical (available at Ronnie & Joe). Shoes, Sledgers (available at SM Store).

StandbyTop, Marks & Spencer. Skirt,

Uniqlo x Ines De La Fressange. Heels, bag, Charles and Keith. Eyeglasses, Dolce & Gabbana

(available at Eye Society). Accessories, SM Accessories.

PAGE 12 HOLIDAY ISSUE

Bold ChoicesTop, Forever 21. Stole, Uniqlo.

Pants, Marks and Spencer. Heels, Rupert Sanderson

(available at Assembly). Bag, Paul Smith (available at Assembly). Accessories, SM Accessories.

PAGE 13HOLIDAY ISSUE

Whether you’re powering through the last days of year’s work or prepping for a quick get-together, gear up with this selection of items handpicked for each task

TOOLS FOR THE TRADEshopping

Productivity boostBag, Piquadro. Desk organizer, Kultura. Eyeglasses, Eye Society. iPad Mini, Power Mac Center. Fitbit Charge 2, Digital Walker.

Brunch buddiesTable napkins, cranberry decor,

rattan napkin ring, Crate and Barrel. Green, cream plates, green

and blue goblets, L’Indochine.

PAGE 14 HOLIDAY ISSUE

Day tripWindbreaker, 21Men by Forever 21. Rayban sunglasses, Eye Society. Yell Bluetooth Selfie Stick, Digital Walker. Little America backpack, Herschel.

Coffee breakCup and saucer, Crate & Barrel. Bucket bag,

Charles and Keith. Lacoste eyeglasses, Eye Society.

PAGE 15HOLIDAY ISSUE

An astronaut looms overhead, gazed fixed intently at the miniscule beings scuffling on the ground below. Trying to make contact, the creatures raise their arms, emitting tiny flashes of light—photos to commemorate their meeting. On some other space, symbols of discovery and transformation—

the caterpillar and the butterfly—crawl along the very crowd they represent: youths longing for a personal metamorphosis.

These larger than life figures show the scale of Poetic Kinetics’ work, both in the literal and the figurative sense. Based in Los Angeles, the collaborative art group co-founded by Patrick Shearn is best known for their large-scale art installations. Escape Velocity (the astronaut) and Caterpillar’s Longing (the caterpillar and the butterfly) are two of their iconic works featured during previous Coachellas. Poetic Kinetics’ pieces utilize various technologies and materials to build art that moves and lives not only within its set space, but with the community around it as well.

“We are focused on creating interactive and experiential public art installations that are functional, sustainable, and specifically tailored for the immediate community where the art will live,” the group says of their art philosophy. “We believe everything in our man-made environment is designed. Everything is a choice, [so] why not make those choices as enriching and stimulating as possible?”

Their latest installation, “Liquid Shard”, was first unveiled in Pershing Square in Los Angeles, August this year. The 15,000 sq ft installation is made of holographic mylar and monofilament, creating a wave that shimmers in the wind. Suspended from trees and buildings, Liquid Shard constantly draws onlookers to the space.

Behind the piece, Shearn shares, are principles of science and nature. “I’m inspired by observing nature and this constant feeling that there’s a lot going on that we don’t understand and we aren’t aware of. You feel [the] ripple of wind on your skin, and the scale of it feels small. But when you see this piece, you’re brought to an understanding of bigger motion around you,” Shearn says.

Poetic Kinetics’ innovative work makes an Asian debut with their first installation at SM Aura’s Sky Park running from December 2016 to February 2017.

Poetic Kinetics bridges art and experience with their first public installation in Asia

A NEW DESIGN DYNAMICart

“We believe everything in our man-made

environment is designed.”

PAGE 16 HOLIDAY ISSUE